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Wood GE, Meyer C, Petitprez F, D'Angelo SP. Immunotherapy in Sarcoma: Current Data and Promising Strategies. Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book 2024; 44:e432234. [PMID: 38781557 DOI: 10.1200/edbk_432234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Traditionally sarcomas have been considered immunologically quiet tumours, with low tumour mutational burden (TMB) and an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment (TME), consisting of decreased T-cell infiltration and elevated levels of H1F1α, macrophages and neutrophils.1,2 However, research has shown that a subset of sarcomas are immunologically 'hot' with either high TMB, PDL-1 expression, CD8+ T cells or presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLS) demonstrating sensitivity to immunotherapy.3,4 Here, we review the current evidence for immunotherapy use in bone sarcomas (BS) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS), with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and adoptive cellular therapies including engineered T-cell therapies, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies, tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and cancer vaccines and biomarkers of response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgina E Wood
- University College Hospital of London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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O'Neill AF, Nguyen EM, Maldonado ED, Chang MR, Sun J, Zhu Q, Marasco WA. Anti-CD99 Antibody Therapy Triggers Macrophage-Dependent Ewing Cell Death In Vitro and Myeloid Cell Recruitment In Vivo. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:24. [PMID: 38534214 DOI: 10.3390/antib13010024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ewing sarcoma is a rare tumor of the bone or soft tissues characterized by diffuse membranous staining for CD99. As this tumor remains incurable in the metastatic, relapsed, and refractory settings, we explored the downstream immune implications of targeting CD99. METHODS We discovered a human anti-CD99 antibody (NOA2) by phagemid panning and investigated NOA2 immune cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo focusing on the myeloid cell compartment, given that M2 macrophages are present in human tumors and associated with a poor prognosis. RESULTS NOA2 is capable of inducing immune effector cell-mediated Ewing death in vitro via engagement of macrophages. Mice with metastatic Ewing tumors, treated with NOA2, experience tumor growth arrest and an associated increase in intratumoral macrophages. Further, incubation of macrophages and Ewing cells with NOA2, in conjunction with anti-PILRα antibody blockade in vitro, results in the reactivation of previously dormant macrophages possibly due to interrupted binding of Ewing CD99 to macrophage PILRα. CONCLUSIONS These studies are the first to demonstrate the role of human immune effector cells in anti-CD99-mediated Ewing tumor death. We propose that the engagement of CD99 by NOA2 results in the recruitment of intratumoral macrophages. In addition, interruption of the CD99:PILRα checkpoint axis may be a relevant therapeutic approach to activate tumor-associated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison F O'Neill
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber and Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Evelyn M Nguyen
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Evelyn D Maldonado
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Matthew R Chang
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jiusong Sun
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Quan Zhu
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Wayne A Marasco
- Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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3
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Manara MC, Manferdini C, Cristalli C, Carrabotta M, Santi S, De Feo A, Caldoni G, Pasello M, Landuzzi L, Lollini PL, Salamanna F, Dominici S, Fiori V, Magnani M, Lisignoli G, Scotlandi K. Engagement of CD99 Activates Distinct Programs in Ewing Sarcoma and Macrophages. Cancer Immunol Res 2024; 12:247-260. [PMID: 38051221 PMCID: PMC10835215 DOI: 10.1158/2326-6066.cir-23-0440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is the second most common pediatric bone tumor. The EWS tumor microenvironment is largely recognized as immune-cold, with macrophages being the most abundant immune cells and their presence associated with worse patient prognosis. Expression of CD99 is a hallmark of EWS cells, and its targeting induces inhibition of EWS tumor growth through a poorly understood mechanism. In this study, we analyzed CD99 expression and functions on macrophages and investigated whether the concomitant targeting of CD99 on both tumor and macrophages could explain the inhibitory effect of this approach against EWS. Targeting CD99 on EWS cells downregulated expression of the "don't eat-me" CD47 molecule but increased levels of the "eat-me" phosphatidyl serine and calreticulin molecules on the outer leaflet of the tumor cell membrane, triggering phagocytosis and digestion of EWS cells by macrophages. In addition, CD99 ligation induced reprogramming of undifferentiated M0 macrophages and M2-like macrophages toward the inflammatory M1-like phenotype. These events resulted in the inhibition of EWS tumor growth. Thus, this study reveals what we believe to be a previously unrecognized function of CD99, which engenders a virtuous circle that delivers intrinsic cell death signals to EWS cells, favors tumor cell phagocytosis by macrophages, and promotes the expression of various molecules and cytokines, which are pro-inflammatory and usually associated with tumor regression. This raises the possibility that CD99 may be involved in boosting the antitumor activity of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Cristina Manara
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Cristina Manferdini
- Laboratorio di Immunoreumatologia e Rigenerazione Tissutale, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Camilla Cristalli
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Carrabotta
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Spartaco Santi
- CNR Institute of Molecular Genetics "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Unit of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandra De Feo
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giulia Caldoni
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Michela Pasello
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorena Landuzzi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Pier-Luigi Lollini
- Laboratory of Immunology and Biology of Metastasis, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesca Salamanna
- Surgical Sciences and Technologies, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Mauro Magnani
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - Gina Lisignoli
- Laboratorio di Immunoreumatologia e Rigenerazione Tissutale, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
| | - Katia Scotlandi
- Laboratory of Experimental Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy
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4
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von Ofen AJ, Thiel U, Eck J, Gassmann H, Thiede M, Hauer J, Holm PS, Schober SJ. YB-1-based oncolytic virotherapy in combination with CD47 blockade enhances phagocytosis of pediatric sarcoma cells. Front Oncol 2024; 14:1304374. [PMID: 38357194 PMCID: PMC10865101 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1304374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OVs) selectively replicate in tumor cells resulting in lysis, spreading of new infectious units and induction of antitumor immune responses through abrogating an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). Due to their mode of action, OVs are ideal combination partners with targeted immunotherapies. One highly attractive combination is the inhibition of the 'don't-eat-me'-signal CD47, which is known to increase the phagocytic potential of tumor-associated macrophages. In this work, we analyzed the combination approach consisting of the YB-1-based oncolytic adenovirus XVir-N-31 (XVir) and the CD47 inhibitor (CD47i) B6.H12.2 concerning its phagocytic potential. We investigate phagocytosis of XVir-, adenovirus wildtype (AdWT)-, and non-infected established pediatric sarcoma cell lines by different monocytic cells. Phagocytes (immature dendritic cells and macrophages) were derived from THP-1 cells and healthy human donors. Phagocytosis of tumor cells was assessed via FACS analysis in the presence and absence of CD47i. Additional characterization of T cell-stimulatory surface receptors as well as chemo-/cytokine analyses were performed. Furthermore, tumor cells were infected and studied for the surface expression of the 'eat-me'-signal calreticulin (CALR) and the 'don't-eat-me'-signal CD47. We herein demonstrate that (1) XVir-infected tumor cells upregulate both CALR and CD47. XVir induces higher upregulation of CD47 than AdWT. (2) XVir-infection enhances phagocytosis in general and (3) the combination of XVir and CD47i compared to controls showed by far superior enhancement of phagocytosis, tumor cell killing and innate immune activation. In conclusion, the combination of CD47i and XVir causes a significant increase in phagocytosis exceeding the monotherapies considerably accompanied by upregulation of T cell-stimulatory receptor expression and inflammatory chemo/-cytokine secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Josefine von Ofen
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Uwe Thiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Eck
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hendrik Gassmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Thiede
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sebastian J. Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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5
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Schober SJ, Thiede M, Gassmann H, von Ofen AJ, Knoch P, Eck J, Prexler C, Kordass-Wally C, Hauer J, Burdach S, Holm PS, Thiel U. TCR-transgenic T cells and YB-1-based oncolytic virotherapy improve survival in a preclinical Ewing sarcoma xenograft mouse model. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1330868. [PMID: 38318175 PMCID: PMC10839048 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1330868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive and highly metastatic bone and soft tissue tumor in pediatric patients and young adults. Cure rates are low when patients present with metastatic or relapsed disease. Therefore, innovative therapy approaches are urgently needed. Cellular- and oncolytic virus-based immunotherapies are on the rise for solid cancers. Methods Here, we assess the combination of EwS tumor-associated antigen CHM1319-specific TCR-transgenic CD8+ T cells and the YB-1-driven (i.e. E1A13S-deleted) oncolytic adenovirus XVir-N-31 in vitro and in a xenograft mouse model for antitumor activity and immunostimulatory properties. Results In vitro both approaches specifically kill EwS cell lines in a synergistic manner over controls. This effect was confirmed in vivo, with increased survival using the combination therapy. Further in vitro analyses of immunogenic cell death and antigen presentation confirmed immunostimulatory properties of virus-infected EwS tumor cells. As dendritic cell maturation was also increased by XVir-N-31, we observed superior proliferation of CHM1319-specific TCR-transgenic CD8+ T cells only in virus-tested conditions, emphasizing the superior immune-activating potential of XVir-N-31. Conclusion Our data prove synergistic antitumor effects in vitro and superior tumor control in a preclinical xenograft setting. Combination strategies of EwS-redirected T cells and YB-1-driven virotherapy are a highly promising immunotherapeutic approach for EwS and warrant further evaluation in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J. Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Melanie Thiede
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Hendrik Gassmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Josefine von Ofen
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Pia Knoch
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jennifer Eck
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carolin Prexler
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Corazon Kordass-Wally
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Per Sonne Holm
- Department of Urology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Uwe Thiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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6
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Kuo C, Amatruda JF. Seed Becoming Soil: A New Paradigm of the Ewing Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment. Clin Cancer Res 2023; 29:5002-5004. [PMID: 37796143 PMCID: PMC10873080 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-2259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
Cells in the tumor microenvironment, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), contribute to tumor growth and immune evasion. A recent study of Ewing sarcoma identified "CAF-like" tumor cells that mimic the protumorigenic features of CAFs. These findings highlight the role of cell plasticity in tumor growth. See related article by Wrenn et al., p. 5140.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Kuo
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
- Department of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
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7
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Visser LL, Bleijs M, Margaritis T, van de Wetering M, Holstege FCP, Clevers H. Ewing Sarcoma Single-cell Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Functionally Impaired Antigen-presenting Cells. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:2158-2169. [PMID: 37823774 PMCID: PMC10595530 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
Novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed for patients with high-risk Ewing sarcoma and for the reduction of severe side effects for all patients. Immunotherapy may fill this need, but its successful application has been hampered by a lack of knowledge on the composition and function of the Ewing sarcoma immune microenvironment. Here, we explore the immune microenvironment of Ewing sarcoma, by single-cell RNA sequencing of 18 Ewing sarcoma primary tissue samples. Ewing sarcoma is infiltrated by natural killer, T, and B cells, dendritic cells, and immunosuppressive macrophages. Ewing sarcoma-associated T cells show various degrees of dysfunction. The antigen-presenting cells found in Ewing sarcoma lack costimulatory gene expression, implying functional impairment. Interaction analysis reveals a clear role for Ewing sarcoma tumor cells in turning the Ewing sarcoma immune microenvironment into an immunosuppressive niche. These results provide novel insights into the functional state of immune cells in the Ewing sarcoma tumor microenvironment and suggest mechanisms by which Ewing sarcoma tumor cells interact with, and shape, the immune microenvironment. SIGNIFICANCE This study is the first presenting a detailed analysis of the Ewing sarcoma microenvironment using single-cell RNA sequencing. We provide novel insight into the functional state of immune cells and suggests mechanisms by which Ewing tumor cells interact with, and shape, their immune microenvironment. These insights provide help in understanding the failures and successes of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma and may guide novel targeted (immuno) therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindy L. Visser
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Margit Bleijs
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Frank C. P. Holstege
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Center for Molecular Medicine, UMC Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Hans Clevers
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Hubrecht Institute, Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) and University Medical Centre, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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8
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Luo W, Hoang H, Liao Y, Pan J, Ayello J, Cairo MS. A humanized orthotopic mouse model for preclinical evaluation of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1277987. [PMID: 37868989 PMCID: PMC10587429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of novel cancer immunotherapy approaches is revolutionizing the treatment for cancer. Current small animal models for most cancers are syngeneic or genetically engineered mouse models or xenograft models based on immunodeficient mouse strains. These models have been limited in evaluating immunotherapy regimens due to the lack of functional human immune system. Development of animal models for bone cancer faces another challenge in the accessibility of tumor engraftment sites. Here, we describe a protocol to develop an orthotopic humanized mouse model for a bone and soft tissue sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, by transplanting fresh human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into young NSG-SGM3 mice combined with subsequent Ewing sarcoma patient derived cell engraftment in the tibia of the humanized mice. We demonstrated early and robust reconstitution of human CD45+ leukocytes including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells and monocytes. Ewing sarcoma xenograft tumors successfully orthotopically engrafted in the humanized mice with minimal invasive procedures. We validated the translational utility of this orthotopic humanized model by evaluating the safety and efficacy of an immunotherapy antibody, magrolimab. Treatment with magrolimab induces CD47 blockade resulting in significantly decreased primary tumor growth, decreased lung metastasis and prolonged animal survival in the established humanized model. Furthermore, the humanized model recapitulated the dose dependent toxicity associated with the CD47 blockade as observed in patients in clinical trials. In conclusion, this orthotopic humanized mouse model of Ewing sarcoma represents an improved platform for evaluating immunotherapy in bone and soft tissue sarcoma, such as Ewing sarcoma. With careful design and optimization, this model is generalizable for other bone malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Hai Hoang
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Yanling Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Janet Ayello
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Mitchell S. Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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9
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Jia F, Liu L, Weng Q, Zhang H, Zhao X. Glycolysis-Metabolism-Related Prognostic Signature for Ewing Sarcoma Patients. Mol Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12033-023-00899-5. [PMID: 37775679 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-00899-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a malignant sarcoma which occurs in bone and soft tissues commonly happening in children with poor survival rates. Changes in cell metabolism, such as glycolysis, may provide the environment for the transformation and progression of tumors. We aimed to build a model to predict prognosis of EwS patients based on glycolysis and metabolism genes. Candidate genes were obtained by differential gene expression analysis based on GSE17679, GSE17674 and ICGC datasets. We performed GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis on candidate genes. Univariate Cox and LASSO Cox regression analyses were conducted to construct a model to calculate the Risk Score. GSEA was done between high-risk and low-risk groups. CIBERSORT was applied to analyze the immune landscape. We got 295 candidate glycolysis-metabolism-related genes which were enriched in 620 GO terms and 18 KEGG pathways. 12 Genes were selected by univariate Cox model and 5 of them were determined by LASSO Cox regression analysis to be used in the construction of the Risk Score model. The Risk Score could be considered as an independent prognosis factor. The immune landscape and immune checkpoints' expression significantly differed between high- and low-risk groups. Our research constructed a new glycolysis-metabolism-related genes (FABP5, EMILIN1, GLCE, PHF11 and PALM3) based prognostic signature for EwS patients and assisted in gaining insight into prognosis to improve therapies further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fusen Jia
- Department of Hand & Foot Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Liu
- Orthopedic Surgery 2nd, Qilu Hospital Huantai Branch, Huantai County, Zibo, 256400, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Weng
- Department of Psychology, Zibo Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255022, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyang Zhang
- Department of Hand & Foot Surgery, Zibo Central Hospital, Zhangdian District, Zibo, 255036, Shandong, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuesheng Zhao
- Orthopedic Surgery 2nd, The Fifth People's Hospital of Jinan, No. 24297 Jingshi Road, Huaiyin District, Jinan, 250000, Shandong, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Jain K, Henrich IC, Quick L, Young R, Mondal S, Oliveira AM, Blobel GA, Chou MM. Natural Killer Cell Activation by Ubiquitin-specific Protease 6 Mediates Tumor Suppression in Ewing Sarcoma. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1615-1627. [PMID: 37615015 PMCID: PMC10443598 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-22-0505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a rare and deadly pediatric bone cancer for which survival rates and treatment options have stagnated for decades. Ewing sarcoma has not benefited from immunotherapy due to poor understanding of how its immune landscape is regulated. We recently reported that ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) functions as a tumor suppressor in Ewing sarcoma, and identified it as the first cell-intrinsic factor to modulate the Ewing sarcoma immune tumor microenvironment (TME). USP6 induces intratumoral infiltration and activation of multiple innate immune lineages in xenografted nude mice. Here we report that natural killer (NK) cells are essential for its tumor-inhibitory functions, as NK cell depletion reverses USP6-mediated suppression of Ewing sarcoma xenograft growth. USP6 expression in Ewing sarcoma cells directly stimulates NK cell activation and degranulation in vitro, and functions by increasing surface levels of multiple NK cell-activating ligands. USP6 also induces surface upregulation of the receptor for the apoptosis-inducing ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), providing an additional route for enhanced sensitivity to NK cell killing. Furthermore, USP6-expressing Ewing sarcoma and NK cells participate in a paracrine immunostimulatory feedforward loop, wherein IFNγ secreted by activated NK cells feeds back on USP6/Ewing sarcoma cells to induce synergistic expression of chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10. Remarkably, expression of USP6 in subcutaneous Ewing sarcoma xenografts induces systemic activation and maturation of NK cells, and induces an abscopal response in which growth of distal tumors is inhibited, coincident with increased infiltration and activation of NK cells. This work reveals how USP6 reprograms the Ewing sarcoma TME to enhance antitumor immunity, and may be exploited for future therapeutic benefit. Significance This study provides novel insights into the immunomodulatory functions of USP6, the only cancer cell-intrinsic factor demonstrated to regulate the immune TME in Ewing sarcoma. We demonstrate that USP6-mediated suppression of Ewing sarcoma tumorigenesis is dependent on NK cells. USP6 directly activates NK cell cytolytic function, inducing both intratumoral and systemic activation of NK cells in an Ewing sarcoma xenograft model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanika Jain
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ian C. Henrich
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura Quick
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert Young
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Shreya Mondal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andre M. Oliveira
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gerd A. Blobel
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margaret M. Chou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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11
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Watters CR, Barro O, Elliott NM, Zhou Y, Gabere M, Raupach E, Baker AT, Barrett MT, Buetow KH, Jacobs B, Seetharam M, Borad MJ, Nagalo BM. Multi-modal efficacy of a chimeric vesiculovirus expressing the Morreton glycoprotein in sarcoma. Mol Ther Oncolytics 2023; 29:4-14. [PMID: 36969560 PMCID: PMC10033453 DOI: 10.1016/j.omto.2023.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesiculoviruses are attractive oncolytic virus platforms due to their rapid replication, appreciable transgene capacity, broad tropism, limited preexisting immunity, and tumor selectivity through type I interferon response defects in malignant cells. We developed a synthetic chimeric virus (VMG) expressing the glycoprotein (G) from Morreton virus (MorV) and utilizing the remaining structural genes from vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). VMG exhibited in vitro efficacy by inducing oncolysis in a broad range of sarcoma subtypes across multiple species. Notably, all cell lines tested showed the ability of VMG to yield productive infection with rapid replication kinetics and induction of apoptosis. Furthermore, pilot safety evaluations of VMG in immunocompetent, non-tumor-bearing mice showed an absence of toxicity with intranasal doses as high as 1e10 50% tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50)/kg. Locoregional administration of VMG in vivo resulted in tumor reduction in an immunodeficient Ewing sarcoma xenograft at doses as low as 2e5 TCID50. In a murine syngeneic fibrosarcoma model, while no tumor inhibition was achieved with VMG, there was a robust induction of CD8+ T cells within the tumor. The studies described herein establish the promising potential for VMG to be used as a novel oncolytic virotherapy platform with anticancer effects in sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsae R. Watters
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Oumar Barro
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Natalie M. Elliott
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | - Yumei Zhou
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Musa Gabere
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | - Elizabeth Raupach
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
| | | | - Michael T. Barrett
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Kenneth H. Buetow
- Computational Sciences and Informatics Program for Complex Adaptive System Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Bertram Jacobs
- Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, the Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Mahesh Seetharam
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Mitesh J. Borad
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Center for Individualized Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
- Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA
| | - Bolni Marius Nagalo
- Department of Pathology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, UAMS, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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12
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Bareke H, Ibáñez-Navarro A, Guerra-García P, González Pérez C, Rubio-Aparicio P, Plaza López de Sabando D, Sastre-Urgelles A, Ortiz-Cruz EJ, Pérez-Martínez A. Prospects and Advances in Adoptive Natural Killer Cell Therapy for Unmet Therapeutic Needs in Pediatric Bone Sarcomas. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098324. [PMID: 37176035 PMCID: PMC10178897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant bone tumors are aggressive tumors, with a high tendency to metastasize, that are observed most frequently in adolescents during rapid growth spurts. Pediatric patients with malignant bone sarcomas, Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma, who present with progressive disease have dire survival rates despite aggressive therapy. These therapies can have long-term effects on bone growth, such as decreased bone mineral density and reduced longitudinal growth. New therapeutic approaches are therefore urgently needed for targeting pediatric malignant bone tumors. Harnessing the power of the immune system against cancer has improved the survival rates dramatically in certain cancer types. Natural killer (NK) cells are a heterogeneous group of innate effector cells that possess numerous antitumor effects, such as cytolysis and cytokine production. Pediatric sarcoma cells have been shown to be especially susceptible to NK-cell-mediated killing. NK-cell adoptive therapy confers numerous advantages over T-cell adoptive therapy, including a good safety profile and a lack of major histocompatibility complex restriction. NK-cell immunotherapy has the potential to be a new therapy for pediatric malignant bone tumors. In this manuscript, we review the general characteristics of osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma, discuss the long-term effects of sarcoma treatment on bones, and the barriers to effective immunotherapy in bone sarcomas. We then present the laboratory and clinical studies on NK-cell immunotherapy for pediatric malignant bone tumors. We discuss the various donor sources and NK-cell types, the engineering of NK cells and combinatorial treatment approaches that are being studied to overcome the current challenges in adoptive NK-cell therapy, while suggesting approaches for future studies on NK-cell immunotherapy in pediatric bone tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halin Bareke
- Translational Research Group in Pediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Adrián Ibáñez-Navarro
- Translational Research Group in Pediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pilar Guerra-García
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos González Pérez
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Rubio-Aparicio
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ana Sastre-Urgelles
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eduardo José Ortiz-Cruz
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Pérez-Martínez
- Translational Research Group in Pediatric Oncology, Haematopoietic Transplantation and Cell Therapy, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, IdiPAZ, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology, La Paz University Hospital, 28046 Madrid, Spain
- School of Medicine, Autonomous University of Madrid, 28046 Madrid, Spain
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13
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Seong G, D’Angelo SP. New therapeutics for soft tissue sarcomas: Overview of current immunotherapy and future directions of soft tissue sarcomas. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1150765. [PMID: 37007160 PMCID: PMC10052453 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1150765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Soft tissue sarcoma is a rare and aggressive disease with a 40 to 50% metastasis rate. The limited efficacy of traditional approaches with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy has prompted research in novel immunotherapy for soft tissue sarcoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors such as anti-CTLA-4 and PD-1 therapies in STS have demonstrated histologic-specific responses. Some combinations of immunotherapy with chemotherapy, TKI, and radiation were effective. STS is considered a ‘cold’, non-inflamed tumor. Adoptive cell therapies are actively investigated in STS to enhance immune response. Genetically modified T-cell receptor therapy targeting cancer testis antigens such as NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A4 demonstrated durable responses, especially in synovial sarcoma. Two early HER2-CAR T-cell trials have achieved stable disease in some patients. In the future, CAR-T cell therapies will find more specific targets in STS with a reliable response. Early recognition of T-cell induced cytokine release syndrome is crucial, which can be alleviated by immunosuppression such as steroids. Further understanding of the immune subtypes and biomarkers will promote the advancement of soft tissue sarcoma treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyuhee Seong
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Sandra P. D’Angelo
- Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Sandra P. D’Angelo,
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14
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Current State of Immunotherapy and Mechanisms of Immune Evasion in Ewing Sarcoma and Osteosarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010272. [PMID: 36612267 PMCID: PMC9818129 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
We argue here that in many ways, Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a unique tumor entity and yet, it shares many commonalities with other immunologically cold solid malignancies. From the historical perspective, EwS, osteosarcoma (OS) and other bone and soft-tissue sarcomas were the first types of tumors treated with the immunotherapy approach: more than 100 years ago American surgeon William B. Coley injected his patients with a mixture of heat-inactivated bacteria, achieving survival rates apparently higher than with surgery alone. In contrast to OS which exhibits recurrent somatic copy-number alterations, EwS possesses one of the lowest mutation rates among cancers, being driven by a single oncogenic fusion protein, most frequently EWS-FLI1. In spite these differences, both EwS and OS are allied with immune tolerance and low immunogenicity. We discuss here the potential mechanisms of immune escape in these tumors, including low representation of tumor-specific antigens, low expression levels of MHC-I antigen-presenting molecules, accumulation of immunosuppressive M2 macrophages and myeloid proinflammatory cells, and release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) which are capable of reprogramming host cells in the tumor microenvironment and systemic circulation. We also discuss the vulnerabilities of EwS and OS and potential novel strategies for their targeting.
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15
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Prexler C, Knape MS, Erlewein-Schweizer J, Roll W, Specht K, Woertler K, Weichert W, von Luettichau I, Rossig C, Hauer J, Richter GHS, Weber W, Burdach S. Correlation of Transcriptomics and FDG-PET SUVmax Indicates Reciprocal Expression of Stemness-Related Transcription Factor and Neuropeptide Signaling Pathways in Glucose Metabolism of Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235999. [PMID: 36497479 PMCID: PMC9735504 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Ewing sarcoma (EwS), long-term treatment effects and poor survival rates for relapsed or metastatic cases require individualization of therapy and the discovery of new treatment methods. Tumor glucose metabolic activity varies significantly between patients, and FDG-PET signals have been proposed as prognostic factors. However, the biological basis for the generally elevated but variable glucose metabolism in EwS is not well understood. METHODS We retrospectively included 19 EwS samples (17 patients). Affymetrix gene expression was correlated with maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) using machine learning, linear regression modelling, and gene set enrichment analyses for functional annotation. RESULTS Expression of five genes correlated (MYBL2, ELOVL2, NETO2) or anticorrelated (FAXDC2, PLSCR4) significantly with SUVmax (adjusted p-value ≤ 0.05). Additionally, we identified 23 genes with large SUVmax effect size, which were significantly enriched for "neuropeptide Y receptor activity (GO:0004983)" (adjusted p-value = 0.0007). The expression of the members of this signaling pathway (NPY, NPY1R, NPY5R) anticorrelated with SUVmax. In contrast, three transcription factors associated with maintaining stemness displayed enrichment of their target genes with higher SUVmax: RNF2, E2F family, and TCF3. CONCLUSION Our large-scale analysis examined comprehensively the correlations between transcriptomics and tumor glucose utilization. Based on our findings, we hypothesize that stemness may be associated with increased glucose uptake, whereas neuroectodermal differentiation may anticorrelate with glucose uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolin Prexler
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Marie Sophie Knape
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Roll
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Münster, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1 A1, 48149 Munster, Germany
| | - Katja Specht
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Klaus Woertler
- Musculoskeletal Radiology Section, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Wilko Weichert
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Irene von Luettichau
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, 80804 Munich, Germany
- ERN PaedCan, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudia Rossig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Children’s Hospital Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
- Cells-in-Motion Cluster of Excellence (EXC 1003-CiM), University of Muenster, 48149 Muenster, Germany
| | - Julia Hauer
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Guenther H. S. Richter
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Oncology and Hematology, Charite–Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weber
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics and Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Fakultät für Medizin, Technische Universität München, 80804 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Technische Universität München, 81675 Munich, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany
- Academy of Translational Medicine and Department of Molecular Oncology–British Columbia Cancer Research Centre, University of British Columbia, 675 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1L3, Canada
- Correspondence:
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16
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Daley JD, Olson AC, Bailey KM. Harnessing immunomodulation during DNA damage in Ewing sarcoma. Front Oncol 2022; 12:1048705. [PMID: 36483025 PMCID: PMC9722957 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1048705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is a fusion-oncoprotein-driven primary bone tumor most commonly diagnosed in adolescents. Given the continued poor outcomes for patients with metastatic and relapsed Ewing sarcoma, testing innovative therapeutic approaches is essential. Ewing sarcoma has been categorized as a 'BRCAness' tumor with emerging data characterizing a spectrum of DNA damage repair defects within individual Ewing tumors, including the presence of EWSR1::FLI1 itself, recurrent somatic mutations, and rare germline-based defects. It is critical to understand the cumulative impact of various DNA damage repair defects on an individual Ewing tumor's response to therapy. Further, in addition to DNA-damage-directed therapies, subsets of Ewing tumors may be more susceptible to DNA-damage/immunotherapy combinations given the significant cross-talk between DNA damage and inflammatory pathways in the tumor microenvironment. Here we review potential approaches utilizing DNA-damaging agents as modulators of the Ewing tumor immune microenvironment, with a focus on radiation and opportunities during disease metastasis and relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Daley
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Adam C. Olson
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Kelly M. Bailey
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, United States,*Correspondence: Kelly M. Bailey,
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17
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Weng W, Yu L, Li Z, Tan C, Lv J, Lao IW, Hu W, Deng Z, Liu Z, Wang J, Xu M. The immune subtypes and landscape of sarcomas. BMC Immunol 2022; 23:46. [PMID: 36153483 PMCID: PMC9508767 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-022-00522-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Considering the molecular heterogeneity of sarcomas and their immunologically quiet character, immunotherapy (e.g., immune checkpoint inhibitors) plays a viable role in only a subset of these tumors. This study aimed to determine the immune subtypes (IMSs) of sarcomas for selecting suitable patients from an extremely heterogeneous population.
Results
By performing consensus clustering analysis of the gene expression profiles of 538 patients with sarcomas in online databases, we stratified sarcomas into three IMSs characterized by different immune cell features, tumor mutational burdens (TMBs), gene mutations, and clinical outcomes. IMS1 showed an immune “hot” and immunosuppressive phenotype, the highest frequencies of CSMD3 mutation but the lowest frequencies of HMCN1 and LAMA2 mutations; these patients had the worst progression-free survival (PFS). IMS2 was defined by a high TMB and more gene mutations, but had the lowest frequency of MND1 mutations. IMS3 displayed the highest MDN1 expression level and an immune “cold” phenotype, these patients had the worst PFS. Each subtype was associated with different expression levels of immunogenic cell death modulators and immune checkpoints. Moreover, we applied graph learning-based dimensionality reduction to the immune landscape and identified significant intra-cluster heterogeneity within each IMS. Finally, we developed and validated an immune gene signature with good prognostic performance.
Conclusions
Our results provide a conceptual framework for understanding the immunological heterogeneity of sarcomas. The identification of immune-related subtypes may facilitate optimal selection of sarcoma patients who will respond to appropriate therapeutic strategies.
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18
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Kim Y, Kim D, Sung WJ, Hong J. High-Grade Endometrial Stromal Sarcoma: Molecular Alterations and Potential Immunotherapeutic Strategies. Front Immunol 2022; 13:837004. [PMID: 35242139 PMCID: PMC8886164 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.837004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial stromal tumor (EST) is an uncommon and unusual mesenchymal tumor of the uterus characterized by multicolored histopathological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features. The morphology of ESTs is similar to normal endometrial stromal cells during the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle. ESTs were first classified into benign and malignant based on the number of mitotic cells. However, recently WHO has divided ESTs into four categories: endometrial stromal nodules (ESN), undifferentiated uterine sarcoma (UUS), low-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (LG-ESS), and high-grade endometrial stromal sarcoma (HG-ESS). HG-ESS is the most malignant of these categories, with poor clinical outcomes compared to other types. With advances in molecular biology, ESTs have been further classified with morphological identification. ESTs, including HG-ESS, is a relatively rare type of cancer, and the therapeutics are not being developed compared to other cancers. However, considering the tumor microenvironment of usual stromal cancers, the advance of immunotherapy shows auspicious outcomes reported in many different stromal tumors and non-identified uterine cancers. These studies show the high possibility of successful immunotherapy in HG-ESS patients in the future. In this review, we are discussing the background of ESTs and the BCOR and the development of HG-ESS by mutations of BCOR or other related genes. Among the gene mutations of HG-ESSs, BCOR shows the most common mutations in different ways. In current tumor therapies, immunotherapy is one of the most effective therapeutic approaches. In order to connect immunotherapy with HG-ESS, the understanding of tumor microenvironment (TME) is required. The TME of HG-ESS shows the mixture of tumor cells, vessels, immune cells and non-malignant stromal cells. Macrophages, neutrophils, dendritic cells and natural killer cells lose their expected functions, but rather show pro-tumoral functions by the matricellular proteins, extracellular matrix and other complicated environment in TME. In order to overcome the current therapeutic limitations of HG-ESS, immunotherapies should be considered in addition to the current surgical strategies. Checkpoint inhibitors, cytokine-based immunotherapies, immune cell therapies are good candidates to be considered as they show promising results in other stromal cancers and uterine cancers, while less studied because of the rarity of ESTs. Based on the advance of knowledge of immune therapies in HG-ESS, the new strategies can also be applied to the current therapies and also in other ESTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngah Kim
- Department of Physiology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea.,Department of Pathology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Dohyang Kim
- Department of Physiology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Woo Jung Sung
- Department of Pathology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
| | - Jaewoo Hong
- Department of Physiology, Daegu Catholic University School of Medicine, Daegu, South Korea
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Holterhus M, Altvater B, Kailayangiri S, Rossig C. The Cellular Tumor Immune Microenvironment of Childhood Solid Cancers: Informing More Effective Immunotherapies. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092177. [PMID: 35565307 PMCID: PMC9105669 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Common pediatric solid cancers fail to respond to standard immuno-oncology agents relying on preexisting adaptive antitumor immune responses. The adoptive transfer of tumor-antigen specific T cells, such as CAR-gene modified T cells, is an attractive strategy, but its efficacy has been limited. Evidence is accumulating that local barriers in the tumor microenvironment prevent the infiltration of T cells and impede therapeutic immune responses. A thorough understanding of the components of the functional compartment of the tumor microenvironment and their interaction could inform effective combination therapies and novel engineered therapeutics, driving immunotherapy towards its full potential in pediatric patients. This review summarizes current knowledge on the cellular composition and significance of the tumor microenvironment in common extracranial solid cancers of childhood and adolescence, such as embryonal tumors and bone and soft tissue sarcomas, with a focus on myeloid cell populations that are often present in abundance in these tumors. Strategies to (co)target immunosuppressive myeloid cell populations with pharmacological anticancer agents and with selective antagonists are presented, as well as novel concepts aiming to employ myeloid cells to cooperate with antitumor T cell responses.
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20
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Sogorski A, Bernstorff M, Lehnhardt M, Behr B, Wagner JM. [Fatal necrotizing fasciitis with clostridium perfringens infection following resection of soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh]. HANDCHIR MIKROCHIR P 2022; 54:155-159. [PMID: 35419785 DOI: 10.1055/a-1712-4166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
We present the case of a 57-year-old male patient with a fatal outcome after resection of a soft tissue sarcoma of the lateral thigh. A polymicrobial surgical site infection with Staphylococcus lugdunensis and Clostridium perfringens caused fulminant necrotising fasciitis with an additional gas gangrene. The patient suffered a severe sepsis with consecutive haemolysis and multiorgan failure. The authors recapitulate the deadly progress of a rarely reported complication after oncological resection. The therapeutic approach and surgical interventions are discussed based on the current literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Sogorski
- BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum; Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum
| | - Maria Bernstorff
- Berufsgenossenschaftliches Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil, Chirurgische Universitätsklinik und Poliklinik
| | - Marcus Lehnhardt
- BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum; Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum
| | - Björn Behr
- BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum; Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum
| | - Johannes Maximilian Wagner
- BG-Universitätsklinikum Bergmannsheil Bochum; Klinik für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum
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21
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Morales E, Olson M, Iglesias F, Luetkens T, Atanackovic D. Targeting the tumor microenvironment of Ewing sarcoma. Immunotherapy 2021; 13:1439-1451. [PMID: 34670399 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2020-0341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive tumor type with an age peak in adolescence. Despite the use of dose-intensified chemotherapy as well as radiation and surgery for local control, patients with upfront metastatic disease or relapsed disease have a dismal prognosis, highlighting the need for additional therapeutic options. Different types of immunotherapies have been investigated with only very limited clinical success, which may be due to the presence of immunosuppressive factors in the tumor microenvironment. Here we provide an overview on different factors contributing to Ewing sarcoma immune escape. We demonstrate ways to target these factors in order to make current and future immunotherapies more effective and achieve deeper and more durable responses in patients with Ewing sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Morales
- Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Michael Olson
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.,Hematology & Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Fiorella Iglesias
- Department of Pediatrics, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tim Luetkens
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine & Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Djordje Atanackovic
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine & Marlene & Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
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22
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Ma W, Li W, Xu L, Liu L, Xia Y, Yang L, Da M. Identification of a Gene Prognostic Model of Gastric Cancer Based on Analysis of Tumor Mutation Burden. Pathol Oncol Res 2021; 27:1609852. [PMID: 34566519 PMCID: PMC8460769 DOI: 10.3389/pore.2021.1609852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the most common cancers. Although some progress has been made in the treatment of gastric cancer with the improvement of surgical methods and the application of immunotherapy, the prognosis of gastric cancer patients is still unsatisfactory. In recent years, there has been increasing evidence that tumor mutational load (TMB) is strongly associated with survival outcomes and response to immunotherapy. Given the variable response of patients to immunotherapy, it is important to investigate clinical significance of TMB and explore appropriate biomarkers of prognosis in patients with gastric cancer (GC). Material and Methods: All data of patients with gastric cancer were obtained from the database of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Samples were divided into two groups based on median TMB. Differently expressed genes (DEGs) between the high- and low-TMB groups were identified and further analyzed. We identified TMB-related genes using Lasso, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and validated the survival result of 11 hub genes using Kaplan-Meier Plotter. In addition, “CIBERSORT” package was utilized to estimate the immune infiltration. Results: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), C > T transition were the most common variant type and single nucleotide variant (SNV), respectively. Patients in the high-TMB group had better survival outcomes than those in the low-TMB group. Besides, eleven TMB-related DEGs were utilized to construct a prognostic model that could be an independent risk factor to predict the prognosis of patients with GC. What’s more, the infiltration levels of CD4+ memory-activated T cells, M0 and M1 macrophages were significantly increased in the high-TMB group compared with the low-TMB group. Conclusions: Herein, we found that patients with high TMB had better survival outcomes in GC. In addition, higher TMB might promote immune infiltration, which could provide new ideas for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Ma
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Weidong Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine (Gansu Provincial Hospital), Lanzhou, China
| | - Lu Liu
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,The First Clinical Medical College, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine (Gansu Provincial Hospital), Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu Xia
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China.,First Clinical Medical School, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liping Yang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingxu Da
- School of Clinical Medicine, Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China.,Department of Surgical Oncology, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, China
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23
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Morales E, Olson M, Iglesias F, Dahiya S, Luetkens T, Atanackovic D. Role of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000653. [PMID: 33293354 PMCID: PMC7725096 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (ES) is thought to arise from mesenchymal stem cells and is the second most common bone sarcoma in pediatric patients and young adults. Given the dismal overall outcomes and very intensive therapies used, there is an urgent need to explore and develop alternative treatment modalities including immunotherapies. In this article, we provide an overview of ES biology, features of ES tumor microenvironment (TME) and review various tumor-associated antigens that can be targeted with immune-based approaches including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, T cell receptor-transduced T cells, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. We highlight key reasons for the limited efficacy of various immunotherapeutic approaches for the treatment of ES to date. These factors include absence of human leukocyte antigen class I molecules from the tumor tissue, lack of an ideal surface antigen, and immunosuppressive TME due to the presence of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, F2 fibrocytes, and M2-like macrophages. Lastly, we offer insights into strategies for novel therapeutics development in ES. These strategies include the development of gene-modified T cell receptor T cells against cancer–testis antigen such as XAGE-1, surface target discovery through detailed profiling of ES surface proteome, and combinatorial approaches. In summary, we provide state-of-the-art science in ES tumor immunology and immunotherapy, with rationale and recommendations for future therapeutics development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin Morales
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Michael Olson
- Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Fiorella Iglesias
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Saurabh Dahiya
- Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Tim Luetkens
- Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Djordje Atanackovic
- Cancer Immunotherapy, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA .,Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.,Hematology and Hematologic Malignancies, University of Utah/Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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24
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Ewing Sarcoma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Impair Dendritic Cell Maturation and Function. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082081. [PMID: 34440851 PMCID: PMC8391167 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is an aggressive pediatric cancer of bone and soft tissues characterized by scant T cell infiltration and predominance of immunosuppressive myeloid cells. Given the important roles of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cancer-host crosstalk, we hypothesized that EVs secreted by EwS tumors target myeloid cells and promote immunosuppressive phenotypes. Here, EVs were purified from EwS and fibroblast cell lines and exhibited characteristics of small EVs, including size (100–170 nm) and exosome markers CD63, CD81, and TSG101. Treatment of healthy donor-derived CD33+ and CD14+ myeloid cells with EwS EVs but not with fibroblast EVs induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release, including IL-6, IL-8, and TNF. Furthermore, EwS EVs impaired differentiation of these cells towards monocytic-derived dendritic cells (moDCs), as evidenced by reduced expression of co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86 and HLA-DR. Whole transcriptome analysis revealed activation of gene expression programs associated with immunosuppressive phenotypes and pro-inflammatory responses. Functionally, moDCs differentiated in the presence of EwS EVs inhibited CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation as well as IFNγ release, while inducing secretion of IL-10 and IL-6. Therefore, EwS EVs may promote a local and systemic pro-inflammatory environment and weaken adaptive immunity by impairing the differentiation and function of antigen-presenting cells.
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25
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Chen Y, Su H, Su Y, Zhang Y, Lin Y, Haglund F. Identification of an RNA-Binding-Protein-Based Prognostic Model for Ewing Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13153736. [PMID: 34359637 PMCID: PMC8345188 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13153736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Ewing sarcoma (ES) is an aggressive childhood tumor for which response to chemotherapy is central to long-term prognosis, but few prognostic markers have been identified. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are strong regulators of cell behavior, working, for example, through post-translational modifications of mRNA. In this study, we investigated whether patterns in the RBP levels were related to outcomes in ES patients. A total of three distinct patterns were recognized, and additional modelling suggested that 10 RPBs had predictive value, suggesting that this model could be used in a clinical setting to identify patients with a higher risk of mortality. Abstract RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) are important transcriptomic regulators and may be important in tumorigenesis. Here, we sought to investigate the clinical impact of RBPs for patients with Ewing sarcoma (ES). ES transcriptome signatures were characterized from four previously published cohorts and grouped into new training and validation cohorts. A total of three distinct subtypes were identified and compared for differences in patient prognosis and RBP signatures. Next, univariate Cox and Lasso regression models were used to identify hub prognosis-related RBPs and construct a prognostic risk model, and prediction capacity was assessed through time-dependent receiver operating characteristics (ROCs), Kaplan–Meier curves, and nomograms. Across the three RBP subtypes, 29 significant prognostic-associated RBP genes were identified, of which 10 were used to build and validate an RBP-associated prognostic risk model (RPRM) that had a stable predictive value and could be considered valuable for clinical risk-stratification of ES. A comparison with immunohistochemistry validation showed a significant association between overall survival and NSUN7 immunoreactivity, which was an independent favorable prognostic marker. The association of RBP signatures with ES clinical prognosis provides a strong rationale for further investigation into RBPs molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Chen
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.H.)
- Clinical Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence:
| | - Huafang Su
- Department of Radiation and Medical Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, China;
| | - Yanhong Su
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.H.)
| | - Yifan Zhang
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.H.)
- Clinical Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yingbo Lin
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.H.)
| | - Felix Haglund
- Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden; (Y.S.); (Y.Z.); (Y.L.); (F.H.)
- Clinical Pathology and Cancer Diagnostics, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, 17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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26
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Chen L, Yin L, Qi Z, Li J, Wang X, Ma K, Liu X. Gene expression-based immune infiltration analyses of renal cancer and their associations with survival outcome. BMC Cancer 2021; 21:595. [PMID: 34030645 PMCID: PMC8146654 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-021-08244-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal cancer is a common malignant tumor with an increasing incidence rate. METHODS In this study, based on the gene expression profiles, we analyzed the compositions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in renal cancer and paracancerous samples using CIBERSORT. The proportions of 22 TIICs subsets in 122 paired renal carcinoma and paracancerous samples, and 224 Wilms tumor (WT) samples varied between intragroup and intergroup. RESULTS After analyzed the difference of TIICs composition between renal cancer and paired paracancerous samples, we found that M0 macrophages and CD8 T cells were significantly elevated, while naive B cells were significantly decreased in renal cancer samples compared with paracancerous samples. Survival analysis showed that high overall TIICs proportion, the low proportion of resting mast cells and the high proportion of activated memory CD4 T cells were associated with poor prognosis of renal cancer patients. In addition, 3 clusters were identified by hierarchical clustering analysis, and they presented a distinct prognosis. Cluster 1 had superior survival outcomes, while cluster 2 had an inferior survival outcome. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated that overall TIICs proportion, certain TIICs subset proportion, including resting mast cells and activated memory CD4 T cells, and distinct cluster patterns were associated with the prognosis of renal cancer, which was significant for the clinical surveillance and treatment of renal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Liang Yin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Zilong Qi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Jinmin Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Xinning Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Kun Ma
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, No.16 Xinhua West Road, Cangzhou, 061000, Hebei, China.
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27
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Hernandez S, Rojas F, Laberiano C, Lazcano R, Wistuba I, Parra ER. Multiplex Immunofluorescence Tyramide Signal Amplification for Immune Cell Profiling of Paraffin-Embedded Tumor Tissues. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:667067. [PMID: 33996912 PMCID: PMC8118604 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.667067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Every day, more evidence is revealed regarding the importance of the relationship between the response to cancer immunotherapy and the cancer immune microenvironment. It is well established that a profound characterization of the immune microenvironment is needed to identify prognostic and predictive immune biomarkers. To this end, we find phenotyping cells by multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) a powerful and useful tool to identify cell types in biopsy specimens. Here, we describe the use of mIF tyramide signal amplification for labeling up to eight markers on a single slide of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue to phenotype immune cells in tumor tissues. Different panels show different markers, and the different panels can be used to characterize immune cells and relevant checkpoint proteins. The panel design depends on the research hypothesis, the cell population of interest, or the treatment under investigation. To phenotype the cells, image analysis software is used to identify individual marker expression or specific co-expression markers, which can differentiate already selected phenotypes. The individual-markers approach identifies a broad number of cell phenotypes, including rare cells, which may be helpful in a tumor microenvironment study. To accurately interpret results, it is important to recognize which receptors are expressed on different cell types and their typical location (i.e., nuclear, membrane, and/or cytoplasm). Furthermore, the amplification system of mIF may allow us to see weak marker signals, such as programmed cell death ligand 1, more easily than they are seen with single-marker immunohistochemistry (IHC) labeling. Finally, mIF technologies are promising resources for discovery of novel cancer immunotherapies and related biomarkers. In contrast with conventional IHC, which permits only the labeling of one single marker per tissue sample, mIF can detect multiple markers from a single tissue sample, and at the same time, deliver extensive information about the cell phenotypes composition and their spatial localization. In this matter, the phenotyping process is critical and must be done accurately by a highly trained personal with knowledge of immune cell protein expression and tumor pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharia Hernandez
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Frank Rojas
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Caddie Laberiano
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Rossana Lazcano
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Ignacio Wistuba
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Edwin Roger Parra
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
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28
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Henrich IC, Jain K, Young R, Quick L, Lindsay JM, Park DH, Oliveira AM, Blobel GA, Chou MM. Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 6 Functions as a Tumor Suppressor in Ewing Sarcoma through Immune Activation. Cancer Res 2021; 81:2171-2183. [PMID: 33558334 PMCID: PMC8137534 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-20-1458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma is the second most common pediatric bone cancer, with a 5-year survival rate for metastatic disease of only 20%. Recent work indicates that survival is strongly correlated with high levels of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), whose abundance is associated with IFN-inducible chemokines CXCL10 and CCL5. However, the tumor-intrinsic factors that drive chemokine production and TIL recruitment have not been fully elucidated. We previously showed that ubiquitin-specific protease 6 (USP6) directly deubiquitinates and stabilizes Jak1, thereby inducing an IFN signature in Ewing sarcoma cells. Here, we show that this gene set comprises chemokines associated with immunostimulatory, antitumorigenic functions, including CXCL10 and CCL5. USP6 synergistically enhanced chemokine production in response to exogenous IFN by inducing surface upregulation of IFNAR1 and IFNGR1. USP6-expressing Ewing sarcoma cells stimulated migration of primary human monocytes and T lymphocytes and triggered activation of natural killer (NK) cells in vitro. USP6 inhibited Ewing sarcoma xenograft growth in nude but not NSG mice and was accompanied by increased intratumoral chemokine production and infiltration and activation of NK cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, consistent with a requirement for innate immune cells in mediating the antitumorigenic effects of USP6. High USP6 expression in patients with Ewing sarcoma was associated with chemokine production, immune infiltration, and improved survival. This work reveals a previously unrecognized tumor-suppressive function for USP6, which engenders an immunostimulatory microenvironment through pleiotropic effects on multiple immune lineages. This further raises the possibility that USP6 activity may be harnessed to create a "hot" tumor microenvironment in immunotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study reveals a novel tumor-suppressive function for USP6 by inducing an immunostimulatory microenvironment, suggesting that USP6 activity may be exploited to enhance immunotherapy regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian C Henrich
- Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kanika Jain
- Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Robert Young
- Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Laura Quick
- Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Jarrett M Lindsay
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel H Park
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Andre M Oliveira
- Department Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
| | - Gerd A Blobel
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department Pediatric Hematology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Margaret M Chou
- Department Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Perelman School of Medicine at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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29
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Zöllner SK, Amatruda JF, Bauer S, Collaud S, de Álava E, DuBois SG, Hardes J, Hartmann W, Kovar H, Metzler M, Shulman DS, Streitbürger A, Timmermann B, Toretsky JA, Uhlenbruch Y, Vieth V, Grünewald TGP, Dirksen U. Ewing Sarcoma-Diagnosis, Treatment, Clinical Challenges and Future Perspectives. J Clin Med 2021; 10:1685. [PMID: 33919988 PMCID: PMC8071040 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10081685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma, a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer, is considered a prime example of the paradigms of a translocation-positive sarcoma: a genetically rather simple disease with a specific and neomorphic-potential therapeutic target, whose oncogenic role was irrefutably defined decades ago. This is a disease that by definition has micrometastatic disease at diagnosis and a dismal prognosis for patients with macrometastatic or recurrent disease. International collaborations have defined the current standard of care in prospective studies, delivering multiple cycles of systemic therapy combined with local treatment; both are associated with significant morbidity that may result in strong psychological and physical burden for survivors. Nevertheless, the combination of non-directed chemotherapeutics and ever-evolving local modalities nowadays achieve a realistic chance of cure for the majority of patients with Ewing sarcoma. In this review, we focus on the current standard of diagnosis and treatment while attempting to answer some of the most pressing questions in clinical practice. In addition, this review provides scientific answers to clinical phenomena and occasionally defines the resulting translational studies needed to overcome the hurdle of treatment-associated morbidities and, most importantly, non-survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan K. Zöllner
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - James F. Amatruda
- Cancer and Blood Disease Institute, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA;
| | - Sebastian Bauer
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sarcoma Center, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Stéphane Collaud
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Ruhrlandklinik, University of Essen-Duisburg, 45239 Essen, Germany
| | - Enrique de Álava
- Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla (IbiS), Virgen del Rocio University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, CIBERONC, 41013 Seville, Spain;
- Department of Normal and Pathological Cytology and Histology, School of Medicine, University of Seville, 41009 Seville, Spain
| | - Steven G. DuBois
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Jendrik Hardes
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hartmann
- Division of Translational Pathology, Gerhard-Domagk Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), Network Partner Site, University Hospital Münster, 48149 Münster, Germany
| | - Heinrich Kovar
- St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute and Medical University Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Markus Metzler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | - David S. Shulman
- Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA; (S.G.D.); (D.S.S.)
| | - Arne Streitbürger
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Musculoskeletal Oncology, Sarcoma Center, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Beate Timmermann
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
- Department of Particle Therapy, University Hospital Essen, West German Proton Therapy Centre, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Jeffrey A. Toretsky
- Departments of Oncology and Pediatrics, Georgetown University, Washington, DC 20057, USA;
| | - Yasmin Uhlenbruch
- St. Josefs Hospital Bochum, University Hospital, 44791 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Volker Vieth
- Department of Radiology, Klinikum Ibbenbüren, 49477 Ibbenbühren, Germany;
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, Hopp-Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany;
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Core Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uta Dirksen
- Pediatrics III, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- West German Cancer Center (WTZ), University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (S.B.); (S.C.); (J.H.); (A.S.); (B.T.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Essen/Düsseldorf, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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30
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Scopim-Ribeiro R, Lizardo MM, Zhang HF, Dhez AC, Hughes CS, Sorensen PH. NSG Mice Facilitate ex vivo Characterization of Ewing Sarcoma Lung Metastasis Using the PuMA Model. Front Oncol 2021; 11:645757. [PMID: 33828989 PMCID: PMC8019912 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.645757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is a highly malignant bone and soft tissue tumor primarily affecting children and young adults. While most patients initially respond well to conventional front-line therapy, frequent metastasis results in poor 5-year overall survival rates for this disease. Accordingly, there is a critical need to develop better models to understand EwS metastasis. We and others previously used the ex vivo pulmonary metastasis assay (PuMA) to study lung metastasis in solid tumors including osteosarcoma (OS), but this technique has to date not been achievable for EwS. PuMA involves tail vein injection of fluorescent tumor cells into NOD-SCID mice, followed by their visualization in long-term cultures of tumor-bearing lung explants. Here we demonstrate successful implementation of PuMA for EwS cells using NOD-SCID-IL2 receptor gamma null (NSG) immunocompromised mice, which demonstrated high engraftment of EwS cell lines compared to NOD-SCID mice. This may be linked to immune permissiveness required by EwS cells, as increased basal cytotoxicity of EwS cells was observed in NOD-SCID compared to NSG lung sections, possibly due to the absence of natural killer (NK) cell activity in the latter. Together, our data demonstrate the utility of NSG mice for PuMA modeling of EwS lung metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hai-Feng Zhang
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Anne-Chloé Dhez
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - Poul H Sorensen
- Department of Molecular Oncology, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Integrated bioinformatics analysis identified MTHFD1L as a potential biomarker and correlated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma. Biosci Rep 2021; 41:227681. [PMID: 33605411 PMCID: PMC7897918 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20202063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is one of the most frequently occurring primary malignant liver tumors and seriously harms people’s health in the world. Methylenetetrahydrofolate dehydrogenase 1-like (MTHFD1L) has been shown to be associated with colon cancer cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion. In the present study, a total of 370 LIHC and 51 normal samples data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis showed that MTHFD1L is highly expressed in liver tumors. Correlation analysis suggested the differences of vital status between high- and low-expression MTHFD1L groups of LIHC. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression were performed to identify the relationship between clinical characteristics and overall survival (OS). In addition, to explore whether MTHFD1L has an effect on the immune infiltration of LIHC. The correlation between MTHFD1L expression and 24 immune cells were analyzed by ImmuneCellAI database. Furthermore, we combined three databases CIBERSORT, TIMER and ImmuneCellAI to do a comprehensive validation and determined that dendritic cells (DCs) resting, macrophage M0 and macrophage M2 closely related to the expression of MTHFD1L. The results showed that MTHFD1L was a potential prognostic biomarker for LIHC, and could help to elucidate that how the immune microenvironment promotes liver cancer development.
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Prognostic Gene Expression, Stemness and Immune Microenvironment in Pediatric Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13040854. [PMID: 33670534 PMCID: PMC7922568 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Tumors in children and young adults are rare and diagnostically distinct from those occurring in older patients. They frequently arise from developing cells, resembling stem cells, which may explain some of the clinical and biologic differences observed. The aim of this retrospective transcriptome study was to investigate the prognostic landscape, immune tumor microenvironment (TME) and stemness in a cohort of 4068 transcriptomes of such tumors. We find that patients’ prognosis correlates with distinct gene expression patterns similar to adult tumor types. Stemness defined by a computational stemness score (mRNAsi) correlates with clinical and molecular parameters that is distinct for each tumor type. In Wilms tumors that recapitulate normal kidney development microscopically, stemness correlates with distinct patterns of immune cell infiltration by transcriptome analysis and by cell localization in tumor tissue. Abstract Pediatric tumors frequently arise from embryonal cells, often displaying a stem cell-like (“small round blue”) morphology in tissue sections. Because recently “stemness” has been associated with a poor immune response in tumors, we investigated the association of prognostic gene expression, stemness and the immune microenvironment systematically using transcriptomes of 4068 tumors occurring mostly at the pediatric and young adult age. While the prognostic landscape of gene expression (PRECOG) and infiltrating immune cell types (CIBERSORT) is similar to that of tumor entities occurring mainly in adults, the patterns are distinct for each diagnostic entity. A high stemness score (mRNAsi) correlates with clinical and morphologic subtype in Wilms tumors, neuroblastomas, synovial sarcomas, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumors and germ cell tumors. In neuroblastomas, a high mRNAsi is associated with shortened overall survival. In Wilms tumors a high mRNAsi correlates with blastemal morphology, whereas tumors with predominant epithelial or stromal differentiation have a low mRNAsi and a high percentage of M2 type macrophages. This could be validated in Wilms tumor tissue (n = 78). Here, blastemal areas are low in M2 macrophage infiltrates, while nearby stromal differentiated areas contain abundant M2 macrophages, suggesting local microanatomic regulation of the immune response.
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Clanchy FIL. Rationale for Early Detection of EWSR1 Translocation-Associated Sarcoma Biomarkers in Liquid Biopsy. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:824. [PMID: 33669307 PMCID: PMC7920076 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13040824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are mesenchymal tumours that often arise and develop as a result of chromosomal translocations, and for several forms of sarcoma the EWSR1 gene is a frequent translocation partner. Sarcomas are a rare form of malignancy, which arguably have a proportionally greater societal burden that their prevalence would suggest, as they are more common in young people, with survivors prone to lifelong disability. For most forms of sarcoma, histological diagnosis is confirmed by molecular techniques such as FISH or RT-PCR. Surveillance after surgical excision, or ablation by radiation or chemotherapy, has remained relatively unchanged for decades, but recent developments in molecular biology have accelerated the progress towards routine analysis of liquid biopsies of peripheral blood. The potential to detect evidence of residual disease or metastasis in the blood has been demonstrated by several groups but remains unrealized as a routine diagnostic for relapse during remission, for disease monitoring during treatment, and for the detection of occult, residual disease at the end of therapy. An update is provided on research relevant to the improvement of the early detection of relapse in sarcomas with EWSR1-associated translocations, in the contexts of biology, diagnosis, and liquid biopsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix I. L. Clanchy
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7FY, UK;
- Botnar Research Centre, Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7LD, UK
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Yin L, Chen L, Qi Z, Li J, Wang X, Ma K, Liu X. Gene expression-based immune infiltration analyses of liver cancer and their associations with survival outcomes. Cancer Genet 2021; 254-255:75-81. [PMID: 33647815 DOI: 10.1016/j.cancergen.2021.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/09/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Liver cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies, presenting inferior survival outcomes once diagnosed. Current therapeutic approaches mainly target the tumor cells or vasculature, but rarely take the immune factors into consideration. METHODS In our study, the compositions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) in liver cancer and paracancer samples were analyzed based on the gene expression profiles by CIBERSORT. After calculating the proportions of 22 TIICs subtypes in 51 paired cancer and paracancer samples, we found their proportions varied between intragroup and intergroup. Compared with the paracancer tissues, the relative proportions of macrophages M0 and resting mast cells in liver cancer samples were significantly elevated, while that of M2 macrophages were reduced. RESULTS Univariate Cox regression analysis with the 22 TIICs subtypes as continuous variables showed increased B cells memory and resting NK cells were significantly associated with poor survival outcome. Besides, hierarchical clustering analysis based on the proportions of 22 TIICs subtypes identified 3 clusters, which exhibited distinct prognosis. Among them, cluster 1 had superior survival outcomes, while cluster 3 had inferior survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, our research suggested certain TIICs subpopulations proportions, as well as cluster patterns were associated with the prognosis of liver cancer, which provided potential therapeutic targets for liver cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Yin
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Zilong Qi
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Jinmin Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Xinning Wang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Kun Ma
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
| | - Xiangyang Liu
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Xinhua Road, Yunhe District, Cangzhou, Heibei 061000, China
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Darzi M, Gorgin S, Majidzadeh-A K, Esmaeili R. Gene co-expression network analysis reveals immune cell infiltration as a favorable prognostic marker in non-uterine leiomyosarcoma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2339. [PMID: 33504899 PMCID: PMC7840729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-81952-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to improve the understanding of non-uterine leiomyosarcoma (NULMS) prognostic genes through system biology approaches. This cancer is heterogeneous and rare. Moreover, gene interaction networks have not been reported in NULMS yet. The datasets were obtained from the public gene expression databases. Seven co-expression modules were identified from 5000 most connected genes; using weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Using Cox regression, the modules showed favorable (HR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.4-0.89, P = 0.0125), (HR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.44-0.98, P = 0.04) and poor (HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.06-2.27, P = 0.025) prognosis to the overall survival (OS) (time = 3740 days). The first one was significant in multivariate HR estimates (HR = 0.4, 95% CI = 0.28-0.69, P = 0.0004). Enriched genes through the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) revealed significant immune-related pathways; suggesting immune cell infiltration as a favorable prognostic factor. The most significant protective genes were ICAM3, NCR3, KLRB1, and IL18RAP, which were in one of the significant modules. Moreover, genes related to angiogenesis, cell-cell adhesion, protein glycosylation, and protein transport such as PYCR1, SRM, and MDFI negatively affected the OS and were found in the other related module. In conclusion, our analysis suggests that NULMS might be a good candidate for immunotherapy. Moreover, the genes found in this study might be potential candidates for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Darzi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeid Gorgin
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Tehran, Iran.
| | - Keivan Majidzadeh-A
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rezvan Esmaeili
- Genetics Department, Breast Cancer Research Center, Motamed Cancer Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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The Sarcoma Immune Landscape: Emerging Challenges, Prognostic Significance and Prospective Impact for Immunotherapy Approaches. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13030363. [PMID: 33498238 PMCID: PMC7863949 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13030363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sarcomas are a rare disease with high rates of recurrence and poor prognosis. Important discoveries about the biology of sarcomas have been done during the last decades, without a substantial improvement of systemic treatments. With the agnostic effectivity of immuno-oncological agents in different cancer indications, it is expected that sarcomas can also benefit from these treatments. This article gathers the available data on the specific immune tumor microenvironment of sarcoma and the immunotherapeutic strategies currently under investigation. Abstract Despite significant advances in multidisciplinary treatment strategies including surgery, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and chemotherapy there are yet no substantial improvements in the clinical benefit of patients with sarcomas. Current understanding of the underlying cellular and molecular pathways which govern the dynamic interactions between the tumor stroma, tumor cells and immune infiltrates in sarcoma tissues, led to the clinical development of new therapeutic options based on immunotherapies. Moreover, progress of the treatment of sarcomas also depends on the identification of biomarkers with prognostic and predictive values for selecting patients most likely to benefit from these new therapeutic treatments and also serving as potent therapeutic targets. Novel combinations with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, vaccines, CAR-T cells and treatments targeting other immune components of the tumor microenvironment are underway aiming to bypass known resistance mechanisms. This review focuses on the role of tumor microenvironment in sarcoma, prognosis and response to novel immunotherapies.
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Koo J, Hayashi M, Verneris MR, Lee-Sherick AB. Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages in the Pediatric Sarcoma Tumor Microenvironment. Front Oncol 2020; 10:581107. [PMID: 33381449 PMCID: PMC7769312 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.581107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
For many pediatric sarcoma patients, multi-modal therapy including chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is sufficient to cure their disease. However, event-free and overall survival rates for patients with more advanced disease are grim, necessitating the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Within many pediatric sarcomas, the normal immune response, including recognition and destruction of cancer cells, is lost due to the highly immune suppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). In this setting, tumor cells evade immune detection and capitalize on the immune suppressed microenvironment, leading to unchecked proliferation and metastasis. Recent preclinical and clinical approaches are aimed at understanding this immune suppressive microenvironment and employing cancer immunotherapy in an attempt to overcome this, by renewing the ability of the immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. While there are several factors that drive the attenuation of immune responses in the sarcoma TME, one of the most remarkable are tumor associated macrophage (TAMs). TAMs suppress immune cytolytic function, promote tumor growth and metastases, and are generally associated with a poor prognosis in most pediatric sarcoma subtypes. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying TAM-facilitated immune evasion and tumorigenesis and discuss the potential therapeutic application of TAM-focused drugs in the treatment of pediatric sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Koo
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Masanori Hayashi
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Michael R Verneris
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Alisa B Lee-Sherick
- Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO, United States
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38
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Prospects for NK Cell Therapy of Sarcoma. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12123719. [PMID: 33322371 PMCID: PMC7763692 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12123719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Sarcomas are a group of aggressive tumors originating from mesenchymal tissues. Patients with advanced disease have poor prognosis due to the ineffectiveness of current treatment protocols. A subset of lymphocytes called natural killer (NK) cells is capable of effective surveillance and clearance of sarcomas, constituting a promising tool for immunotherapeutic treatment. However, sarcomas can cause impairment in NK cell function, associated with enhanced tumor growth and dissemination. In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of sarcoma-mediated suppression of NK cells and their implications for the design of novel NK cell-based immunotherapies against sarcoma. Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphoid cells with potent antitumor activity. One of the most NK cell cytotoxicity-sensitive tumor types is sarcoma, an aggressive mesenchyme-derived neoplasm. While a combination of radical surgery and radio- and chemotherapy can successfully control local disease, patients with advanced sarcomas remain refractory to current treatment regimens, calling for novel therapeutic strategies. There is accumulating evidence for NK cell-mediated immunosurveillance of sarcoma cells during all stages of the disease, highlighting the potential of using NK cells as a therapeutic tool. However, sarcomas display multiple immunoevasion mechanisms that can suppress NK cell function leading to an uncontrolled tumor outgrowth. Here, we review the current evidence for NK cells’ role in immune surveillance of sarcoma during disease initiation, promotion, progression, and metastasis, as well as the molecular mechanisms behind sarcoma-mediated NK cell suppression. Further, we apply this basic understanding of NK–sarcoma crosstalk in order to identify and summarize the most promising candidates for NK cell-based sarcoma immunotherapy.
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Grünewald TGP, Alonso M, Avnet S, Banito A, Burdach S, Cidre‐Aranaz F, Di Pompo G, Distel M, Dorado‐Garcia H, Garcia‐Castro J, González‐González L, Grigoriadis AE, Kasan M, Koelsche C, Krumbholz M, Lecanda F, Lemma S, Longo DL, Madrigal‐Esquivel C, Morales‐Molina Á, Musa J, Ohmura S, Ory B, Pereira‐Silva M, Perut F, Rodriguez R, Seeling C, Al Shaaili N, Shaabani S, Shiavone K, Sinha S, Tomazou EM, Trautmann M, Vela M, Versleijen‐Jonkers YMH, Visgauss J, Zalacain M, Schober SJ, Lissat A, English WR, Baldini N, Heymann D. Sarcoma treatment in the era of molecular medicine. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e11131. [PMID: 33047515 PMCID: PMC7645378 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201911131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sarcomas are heterogeneous and clinically challenging soft tissue and bone cancers. Although constituting only 1% of all human malignancies, sarcomas represent the second most common type of solid tumors in children and adolescents and comprise an important group of secondary malignancies. More than 100 histological subtypes have been characterized to date, and many more are being discovered due to molecular profiling. Owing to their mostly aggressive biological behavior, relative rarity, and occurrence at virtually every anatomical site, many sarcoma subtypes are in particular difficult-to-treat categories. Current multimodal treatment concepts combine surgery, polychemotherapy (with/without local hyperthermia), irradiation, immunotherapy, and/or targeted therapeutics. Recent scientific advancements have enabled a more precise molecular characterization of sarcoma subtypes and revealed novel therapeutic targets and prognostic/predictive biomarkers. This review aims at providing a comprehensive overview of the latest advances in the molecular biology of sarcomas and their effects on clinical oncology; it is meant for a broad readership ranging from novices to experts in the field of sarcoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas GP Grünewald
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma ResearchGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Hopp Children's Cancer Center (KiTZ), German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)HeidelbergGermany
- Institute of PathologyHeidelberg University HospitalHeidelbergGermany
| | - Marta Alonso
- Program in Solid Tumors and BiomarkersFoundation for the Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of Navarra PamplonaPamplonaSpain
| | - Sofia Avnet
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Ana Banito
- Pediatric Soft Tissue Sarcoma Research GroupGerman Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)HeidelbergGermany
| | - Stefan Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Florencia Cidre‐Aranaz
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | - Gemma Di Pompo
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Merve Kasan
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | | | - Fernando Lecanda
- Division of OncologyAdhesion and Metastasis LaboratoryCenter for Applied Medical ResearchUniversity of NavarraPamplonaSpain
| | - Silvia Lemma
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Dario L Longo
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | | | | | - Julian Musa
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplantation SurgeryUniversity of HeidelbergHeidelbergGermany
| | - Shunya Ohmura
- Max‐Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma BiologyInstitute of PathologyFaculty of MedicineLMU MunichMunichGermany
| | | | - Miguel Pereira‐Silva
- Department of Pharmaceutical TechnologyFaculty of PharmacyUniversity of CoimbraCoimbraPortugal
| | - Francesca Perut
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
| | - Rene Rodriguez
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de AsturiasOviedoSpain
- CIBER en oncología (CIBERONC)MadridSpain
| | | | - Nada Al Shaaili
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Shabnam Shaabani
- Department of Drug DesignUniversity of GroningenGroningenThe Netherlands
| | - Kristina Shiavone
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Snehadri Sinha
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial DiseasesUniversity of HelsinkiHelsinkiFinland
| | | | - Marcel Trautmann
- Division of Translational PathologyGerhard‐Domagk‐Institute of PathologyMünster University HospitalMünsterGermany
| | - Maria Vela
- Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research (IdiPAZ)MadridSpain
| | | | | | - Marta Zalacain
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging (IBB)Italian National Research Council (CNR)TurinItaly
| | - Sebastian J Schober
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center (CCRC)Technische Universität MünchenMunichGermany
| | - Andrej Lissat
- University Children′s Hospital Zurich – Eleonoren FoundationKanton ZürichZürichSwitzerland
| | - William R English
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Nicola Baldini
- Orthopedic Pathophysiology and Regenerative Medicine UnitIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico RizzoliBolognaItaly
- Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor SciencesUniversity of BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Dominique Heymann
- Department of Oncology and MetabolismUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
- Université de NantesInstitut de Cancérologie de l'OuestTumor Heterogeneity and Precision MedicineSaint‐HerblainFrance
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Deng J, Zeng W, Kong W, Shi Y, Mou X. The Study of Sarcoma Microenvironment Heterogeneity Associated With Prognosis Based on an Immunogenomic Landscape Analysis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:1003. [PMID: 32974322 PMCID: PMC7471631 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.01003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Microenvironment-driven tumor heterogeneity causes the limitation of immunotherapy of sarcomas. Nonetheless, systematical studies of various molecular levels can enhance the understanding of tumor microenvironment (TME) related to prognosis and provide novel insights of precision immunotherapy. Three prognostic-related TME phenotypes were identified by consensus clustering of the relative infiltration of 22 immune cells from 869 samples of sarcomas. Additionally, integrative immunogenomic analysis is applied to explore the characteristics of different TME groups. The results revealed that most of the immune cell infiltration is higher in the better prognostic group, which are more affected by lower DNA methylation levels and fewer copy number variations in the worse prognostic group. The signaling pathway crosstalk analysis suggested that the changes in the TME will cause considerable variation in the flow of information between pathways, especially when the degree of relative infiltration of immune cells is low, patient’s endocrine system may also be significantly affected. Also, the endogenous competitive network analysis indicated that several differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with the prognosis or tumor recurrence of sarcoma patients affected the regulatory relationship between miRNAs and different genes when the sarcoma microenvironment changes. In summary, the significant relationship between genetic alterations and prognostic-related TME characteristics in sarcomas were determined in this study. These findings may provide new clues for the treatment of sarcomas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Deng
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weiming Zeng
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Kong
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhu Shi
- College of Information Engineering, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyang Mou
- Department of Biochemistry, Rowan University and Guava Medicine, Glassboro, NJ, United States
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Schober SJ, Thiede M, Gassmann H, Prexler C, Xue B, Schirmer D, Wohlleber D, Stein S, Grünewald TGP, Busch DH, Richter GHS, Burdach SEG, Thiel U. MHC Class I-Restricted TCR-Transgenic CD4 + T Cells Against STEAP1 Mediate Local Tumor Control of Ewing Sarcoma In Vivo. Cells 2020; 9:cells9071581. [PMID: 32610710 PMCID: PMC7408051 DOI: 10.3390/cells9071581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study we report the functional comparison of T cell receptor (TCR)-engineered major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells targeting a peptide from six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) in the context of HLA-A*02:01. STEAP1 is a tumor-associated antigen, which is overexpressed in many cancers, including Ewing sarcoma (EwS). Based on previous observations, we postulated strong antitumor potential of tumor-redirected CD4+ T cells transduced with an HLA class I-restricted TCR against a STEAP1-derived peptide. We compared CD4+ T cell populations to their CD8+ counterparts in vitro using impedance-based xCELLigence and cytokine/granzyme release assays. We further compared antitumor activity of STEAP130-TCR transgenic (tg) CD4+ versus CD8+ T cells in tumor-bearing xenografted Rag2-/-gc-/- mice. TCR tgCD4+ T cells showed increased cytotoxic features over time with similar functional avidity compared to tgCD8+ cells after 5-6 weeks of culture. In vivo, local tumor control was equal. Assessing metastatic organotropism of intraveniously (i.v.) injected tumors, only tgCD8+ cells were associated with reduced metastases. In this analysis, EwS-redirected tgCD4+ T cells contribute to local tumor control, but fail to control metastatic outgrowth in a model of xenografted EwS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian J. Schober
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.J.S.); (U.T.)
| | - Melanie Thiede
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Hendrik Gassmann
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Carolin Prexler
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Busheng Xue
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - David Schirmer
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology/Experimental Oncology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81674 Munich, Germany;
| | - Stefanie Stein
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU, 80337 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (T.G.P.G.)
| | - Thomas G. P. Grünewald
- Max-Eder Research Group for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology of the LMU, 80337 Munich, Germany; (S.S.); (T.G.P.G.)
- Division of Translational Pediatric Sarcoma Research, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Pathology, Heidelberg University Hospital, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dirk H. Busch
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Hygiene, Klinikum rechts der Isar, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 81674 Munich, Germany;
| | - Guenther H. S. Richter
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Division of Oncology and Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan E. G. Burdach
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), partner site Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
| | - Uwe Thiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Cancer Research Center, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, 80804 Munich, Germany; (M.T.); (H.G.); (C.P.); (B.X.); (D.S.); (G.H.S.R.); (S.E.G.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.J.S.); (U.T.)
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Wen P, Gao Y, Chen B, Qi X, Hu G, Xu A, Xia J, Wu L, Lu H, Zhao G. Pan-Cancer Analysis of Radiotherapy Benefits and Immune Infiltration in Multiple Human Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12040957. [PMID: 32294976 PMCID: PMC7226004 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12040957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Response to radiotherapy (RT) in cancers varies widely among patients. Therefore, it is very important to predict who will benefit from RT before clinical treatment. Consideration of the immune tumor microenvironment (TME) could provide novel insight into tumor treatment options. In this study, we investigated the link between immune infiltration status and clinical RT outcome in order to identify certain leukocyte subsets that could potentially influence the clinical RT benefit across cancers. By integrally analyzing the TCGA data across seven cancers, we identified complex associations between immune infiltration and patients RT outcomes. Besides, immune cells showed large differences in their populations in various cancers, and the most abundant cells were resting memory CD4 T cells. Additionally, the proportion of activated CD4 memory T cells and activated mast cells, albeit at low number, were closely related to RT overall survival in multiple cancers. Furthermore, a prognostic model for RT outcomes was established with good performance based on the immune infiltration status. Summarized, immune infiltration was found to be of significant clinical relevance to RT outcomes. These findings may help to shed light on the impact of tumor-associated immune cell infiltration on cancer RT outcomes, and identify biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengbo Wen
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yang Gao
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Xiaojing Qi
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Guanshuo Hu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - An Xu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Junfeng Xia
- Institute of Physical Science and Information Technology, School of Computer Science and Technology, Anhui University, Hefei 230039, China;
| | - Lijun Wu
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
| | - Huayi Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (G.Z.)
| | - Guoping Zhao
- Key Laboratory of High Magnetic Field and Ion Beam Physical Biology, Hefei Institutes of Physical Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Control Technology, Hefei 230031, China; (P.W.); (Y.G.); (B.C.); (X.Q.); (G.H.); (A.X.); (L.W.)
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (G.Z.)
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Hong W, Yuan H, Gu Y, Liu M, Ji Y, Huang Z, Yang J, Ma L. Immune-related prognosis biomarkers associated with osteosarcoma microenvironment. Cancer Cell Int 2020; 20:83. [PMID: 32190007 PMCID: PMC7075043 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-020-1165-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteosarcoma is a highly aggressive bone tumor that most commonly affects children and adolescents. Treatment and outcomes for osteosarcoma have remained unchanged over the past 30 years. The relationship between osteosarcoma and the immune microenvironment may represent a key to its undoing. METHODS We calculated the immune and stromal scores of osteosarcoma cases from the Target database using the ESTIMATE algorithm. Then we used the CIBERSORT algorithm to explore the tumor microenvironment and analyze immune infiltration of osteosarcoma. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified based on immune scores and stromal scores. Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes Database (STRING) was utilized to assess protein-protein interaction (PPI) information, and Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin was used to screen hub modules of PPI network in Cytoscape. The prognostic value of the gene signature was validated in an independent GSE39058 cohort. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was performed to study the hub genes in signaling pathways. RESULTS From 83 samples of osteosarcoma obtained from the Target dataset, 137 DEGs were identified, including 134 upregulated genes and three downregulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis and PPI networks demonstrated that these genes were mainly involved in neutrophil degranulation and neutrophil activation involved in immune response, and participated in neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and staphylococcus aureus infection. CONCLUSIONS Our study established an immune-related gene signature to predict outcomes of osteosarcoma, which may be important targets for individual treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weifeng Hong
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No.19, Nong Lin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
- Morning Star Academic Cooperation, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Yuan
- Department of Oncology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Morning Star Academic Cooperation, Shanghai, China
| | - Yujun Gu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No.58, Zhongshan Second Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
| | - Mouyuan Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No.19, Nong Lin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
| | - Yayun Ji
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No.19, Nong Lin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
| | - Zifang Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No.58, Zhongshan Second Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
| | - Junlin Yang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, No.58, Zhongshan Second Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
| | - Liheng Ma
- Department of Medical Imaging, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, No.19, Nong Lin Xia Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, 510030 Guangdong China
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